Swarbrick unfazed by Maryland-to-Big Ten speculation

An ESPN.com report that Maryland and Rutgers are in "serious negotiations" to join the Big Ten changes nothing for Notre Dame, as far as athletic director Jack Swarbrick is concerned.

The Irish are set to join the ACC by 2015, and Maryland is currently in the ACC. Rutgers plays in the Big East.

"Unchanged," Swarbrick said Saturday night, addressing the speculation in the wake of Notre Dame's 38-0 football victory over Wake Forest. "It has absolutely zero impact. It wouldn't change anything about our decision-making process. If we were going to engage in it again, it wouldn't change anything."

Swarbrick was wary of discussing it, since there has been no official confirmation that the negotiations are taking place. But he wasn't shocked that the possibility exists. He was, however, surprised by the timing of the potential move.

"If this occurs, this particular outcome does not come as a surprise," he said, citing "a lot of conversations over the years."

When Notre Dame announced its agreement to join the ACC in all sports but football -- but to play five ACC teams in football each year, and be part of the ACC bowl package -- earlier this fall, Swarbrick said he believed the endless conference realignment would finally come to a halt.